This initiative has been enabled by the MDU committing to donate the equivalent of half (£5) the subscription for each new foundation doctor who joins the MDU to RMBF.
The RMBF provides support for doctors throughout their medical career, from financial assistance in the form of grants and loans to a telephone befriending scheme for those who may feel isolated.
This includes Josh, a final year medical student, who discovered that a lump on his neck was cancerous. He said:
"I was about a third of the way through my final year at Bristol when I noticed a lump in my neck, I just thought it was a swollen gland, nothing serious. I was in shock to be told I had cancer, it had spread to all the lymph nodes and I needed surgery the next week. In my head, I was like, 'I can't have cancer, I have my finals coming up and I need to complete this rotation.'
"Leaving the course had so many implications, not least the financial impact, and returning to medical school to re-start my final year was not straightforward. I got in touch with the RMBF, who were able to provide financial support, which was a huge help. Without that, I'd have had to take a further year out of medicine to work and save up.
"I'm now working in the same hospital where I had my treatment. I feel like I've come full circle, and soon I'll be working in the same department where I was diagnosed with the consultant who operated on me!
"I hope the cancer experience will make me a better doctor. I feel that because I've been in that position and know how it feels, I'm really empathetic and go above and beyond for my patients.
"I was initially reluctant to seek help but the support I received from RMBF made a huge difference to helping me complete my medical degree."
Dr Udvitha Nandasoma, the MDU's head of advisory services, said:
"I'm delighted that the MDU's support for the RMBF has enabled the charity to help so many medical professionals facing challenging personal circumstances. The financial and psychological support is of huge value to recipients.
"At the MDU, we are always looking for ways to support our members and are proud to partner with organisations who also guide and support medical professionals."
Steven Crone, chief executive of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, commented:
"We are very grateful that the MDU continues to support us. The funds they raise enable us to provide financial support and assistance to even more medical professionals and their families during extraordinarily difficult times for the profession."
This page was correct at publication on 05/09/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.